Combined valve and molten metal sampling device



IN1/EN Ton eozye A. Pagol's- A T TOENE YS G. A. PAGoNls Filed Sept. 1s, 1956 COMBINED VALVE AND MOLTEN METAL SAMPLING DEVICE Jan. zo, 1959 United States `Patent COMBINED VALVE AND MLTEN METAL SAMPLING DEVICE George A. Pagonis, San Jose, Calif., assigner, by mesi/ze assignments, to' Light Metals Research Laboratory, luc., San Jose, Calif., a corporation of California Application September 13, 1956, Serial No. 609,583 Claims. (Cl. 73422) This invention relates to fluid ow control apparatus and, more specifically, the invention'pertains to a combined valve and molten metal sampling device wherein the control apparatus is especially designed for use in conjunction with the apparatus disclosed and described in my co-pending application, Serial No. 505,887, entitled Process and Apparatus for Treating Titanium and Other Metals, and the instant invention comprises a continuation-in-part thereof.

As has been set forth in my co-pending application, metallurgists have long been cognizant of the great difficulty industrial concerns face in preparing titanium and other similar metallic alloys which will continuously meet government specifications. Prior to my above-mentioned co-pending application the prior art and the present day known processes and apparatus for alloying titanium and similar metals could not produce, from batch to batch, an alloy having the same composition, homogeneous uniformity and grain refinement. This is due to the fact that prior art apparatus made very little or no provision to prevent contamination of the alloy, nor have means been provided to take test samples of the alloy as it is processed through various stages.

To take test samples of an alloyed metal while in its molten condition within a crucible is, today, a painstaking task and even when a sample is taken the same may not show the true composition of the metal within the crucible upon analysis. This results from the contamination of the metal from the ambient atmosphere or from other exterior sources.

Thus, even in the practice of the invention disclosed in my co-pending application wherein multi-crucible apparatus is utilized under controlled conditions, the transit of the molten metal from one crucible tol another or to an ingot mold through valve controlled conduits did not provide for sampling from stage to stage prior to its discharge into the ingot mold.

It is therefore, one of the primary objects of this invention to provide in combination, a valve for controlling the iiow of molten metals between two or more vessels wherein the valve includes means for taking a test sample of the metal at any stage of its alloying treatment for the purpose of analysis before permitting the molten metal to pass from one stage to another.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combined valve and sampling device of the type described above together with means for deriving the sample alloy under a condition of an inert atmosphere or vacuum, and allowing the sample to cool to its stable solid condition before exposing the same to the ambient atmosphere for subsequent analysis.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in a compound conduit extending between two Vessels, a

liner formed of a refractory material such as, for example,

molybdenum trioxide which when introduced into the field of anv induction heating device will increase the eddy Current effect on the metal passing through the conduit and thereby increase the turbulence of the metal. This further insures the homogeneous consistency of the alloy.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from a reading of the following specification when read in conjunction withthe annexed drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrating the interposition of a valve constructed in accordance with this invention between a crucible and an ingot mold.

Fig. 2 is a medial longitudinal cross-sectional viewl 14 having its other end in open communication with oneV end of a discharge conduit 16 from which metal ispassed into an ingot mold 18. A valve designated, in general, by reference numeral 20 is interposed in the conduit 12, the valve 20 being constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention.

At this point it is deemed expedient to point out that while the valve 20 illustrated in Fig. 1 is disposed between one crucible and an ingot mold, the valve 20 may also be positioned intermediate two crucibles of a multicrucible metal treating system without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.

The tubular conduit 12 is seen to comprise an elongated length of substantially hollow cylindrical steel pipe 22 having radially outwardly projecting anges 24, 26 at each end thereof, respectively. Bolts 28 secure the flange 24 to the outer casing 30 of the crucible 10, and a gasket 32 formed of neoprene impregnated asbestos is disposed intermediate the casing 30 and the flange 24. In a similar manner, bolts 34 secure the flange 26 to a radially and outwardly extending flange 38 formed at the inlet side of the elbow connector 14. Between the flanges 26 and 38 is interposed a neoprene impregnated gasket 40.

The compound conduit 12 includes the pipe 22 and a plurality of circular liners 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 and 54, all formed of a refractory material. The pipe 22 is seen to surround the refractory liner or shell 42 which is preferably formed of Transite. The shell 42, on the inner side thereof is provided with a helicoidal groove 56 in which is partially imbedded a length of hollow copper coil 58, The refractory liner 42 embraces the refractory 44 formed Y of norblack and which is provided with an exterior helicoidal groove 60 complementing the groove`56 and receiving therein the remainder of the pipe 58.

The liner 44 surrounds the refractory liner 46 which may be formed of any one of the following composif tions:

(1) 80% thorium dioxide, 10% yttrium trioxide, 10% zirconium dioxide; f

(2) 90% thorium dioxide, 10% yttrium trioxide;

(3) 85% thorium dioxide, 10% hafnium dioxide, 5% yttrium trioxide;

(4) Carbon graphite which has been impregnated with thorium, 10% hafnium which is then fired to a minimum temperature of 3000 F.

The refractory or liner 46 encases the refractory liner 48 which is formed of molybdenum oxide, its dioxide or trioxide. The refractory liner 48 surrounds the refractory liner 50 which may be formed of the compounds referred to above in connection with the liner 46.

The refractory liner or shell 52 is surrounded by refractory liner 50 and the shell 52 is formed'of molybdenum trioxide compressed under a pressure of from 18,000 to 32,000 p. s. i. Since the method for obtaining this liner is not of vital importance to the present invention, the same will not be described herein.

The refractory liner S2 surrounds the innermost refractory liner 54, the latter being formed of molybdenum oxide, its dioxide or trioxide.

As is seen in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, the compound conduit 12 is arranged and disposed in such a manner that the refractories forming the component elements thereof are coaxially aligned and that the refractory liner 54 is provided with a longitudinally or axially extending passage 62, which'is also disposed in coaxial alignment with respect to the named refractories.

As has been discussed in my above-referred to copending patent application, the copper pipe 58A has one of its ends connected with the source of liquid coolant and the other one of its ends 58B is connected with a convenient source .of liquid discharge. The pipe 58 -is also connected by wires 58C and 58D to a source of high-frequency alternating current to provide for induction heating of the liquid metal in the passage 62.

The valve to which this invention pertains, is seen to traverse the compound conduit 12 and to project on opposite sides thereof. To this end, the outer steel pipe 22, the refractories 42, 44, 46, 48 50, 52 and 54 are coaxially bored at 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76 and 478, respectively.

A substantially hollow cylindrical Vsteel sleeve 80 has the `lower end thereof xedly secured to the steel pipe 22 .as by welding 82, and is disposed in coaxial alignment with the above-referred to bores. The upper end of the sleeve 80 is provided with a radially outwardly extending flange S4 forming a seat 86, the function of which will be described below.

A vertical or substantially upright cylindrical flange 88 extends from the marginal edge of the flange 84 and terminates in a radial and outwardly extending flange A substantially vcylindrical valve guide member designated, in general, by the reference numeral 92 is seen to comprise a substantially hollow elongated tubular member 94 formed of a refractory material such as molybdenum oxide, its dioxide or trioxide. The upper end of the valve guide member 94 is provided with a radially and outwardly extending ange 96 having a marginal peripheral groove 98 formed in the upper face thereof. Intermediate its ends the valve guide member 94 ,is provided with a pair of substantially annular, out-v y wardly projecting bosses 100, 102 which are integrally formed therewith and through which extend a pair of diametrically opposed liquid inlet and outlet ports 104, 106, respectively. The refractory member 94 is encased within a vrefractory 108 which is formed of molybdenum `trioxide `compressed under a pressure of 18,000 to 32,000 p. s. Ai. As is -seen in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the refractory 108 also surrounds the flange 96 and terminates in an inwardly extending radial ange 110 which is disposed within the recess 98. The refractory 108 is also seen to surround but does not extend across the bosses 100, 102 and projects across the lower end of the valve guide 94.

The valve cap .or closure member designated in general bythe reference numeral112, is seen to comprise a `vertically elongated hollow steel cylindrical member 114 having a substantially closed bottom end portion 116 from which projects a radial outwardly extending flange 118. The ange 118 is substantially the same diameter as the flange 90 and the two flanges are ysecured together by means of bolts 120 and nuts 122. As is seen in Fig. 2 Va neoprene impregnated asbestos gasket 124 is Vinterposed-between the two anges 90 and 118.

-One end of a boss 126 is integrally formed with the bottom wall 116 and projects vertically therefrom in spaced relation relative to the cylindrical member 114.

The boss 126 is provided with a bore 128 coaxially aligned with the cylindrical member 114 and is adapted to slidably receive therein the upper end of a valve stern 130. The bore 128 is provided with a keyway 132 to receive a key 134 disposed within the keyway 136 formed in the valve stem 130, whereby the stem is secured against rotation relative to the bore 128. A gasket 138 is mounted over the upper end of the valve stem 130, the gasket again being formed of neoprene impregnated asbestos. As is seen in Fig. 2, the upper end of the cylindrical member 114 terminates in an outwardly turned radial ange 140 which is adapted to receive thereon gasket 142 formed of neoprene impregnated asbestos. The gasket 142 is apertured at 144 to serve a purpose to be described.

A closure member 146 comprising a substantially circular steel disk is superposed over the gasket 142 and is secured to the flange 140 by means of stud bolts 148. The closure member 146 is provided with an inner hub portion 150 which projects downwardly through the aperture 144 formed in the gasket 142, and the lower end thereof seats against the gasket 138. The hub 150 is provided with a central, internally threaded bore 152 which communicates at its upper end with an internally threaded opening 154 lformed in an external vertically projecting hub portion 151 of the cap 146. As is seen in Fig. 2, the upper end of the valve stem 130 is thread ed at 158 and is threaded through the hub 150 and extends beyond the hub 156. A fitting 160 is externally threaded for mounting within the internally threaded hub 156 and the iitting is provided with a smooth bore 162 which receives lthe upper end of the valve stem 130 therethrough. The threaded upper end of the valve stem 130 is threaded within a bore 164 formed in a boss 166 of a manually operated hand-wheel 168.

The lower end of the valve stem 130 is lixedly secured by conventional means to a substantially cylindrical valve designated, in general, by the reference numeral 170. The valve 170 is telescopically mounted within the valve guide 92 for reciprocation therein. The valve 170 is preferably formed of a refractory material identical to that from which the valve guide is constructed, namely, molybdenum oxide, its trioxide or dioxide.

The lower end of the valve member 170 is provided with a `transversely extending circular bore 172 which communicates at its inner end with an enlarged substantially circular passage 174 having a downwardly and inwardly inclined periphery designated at 176. It is manifest from the drawing that the passage 174 has a greater transverse cross-sectional area than the transverse cross-sectional area of the bore 172.

As is seen in Fig. 2, a steel pipe extends through the sleeve 80 and adjacent portions of the refractory 108 and the valve guide 92 so that the inner end of the pipe V180 is positioned in open communication with the space between the closure member 112 and the upper end of the valve V170. The other or outer end of the pipe 180 is connected with a source (not shown) of inert gas under pressure such as, for example, helium, argon, kripton, and other similar gasses. A control valve 182 `is interposed jin the pipe 180.

A steel discharge pipe 184 extends through the sleeve 80 and adjacent portions of the refractory 108 and the valve guide 92, the pipe 184 also having its inner end in open communication with the space between the closure member 112 and the upper end of the valve 92. A control valve 186 is interposed in the discharge pipe 184, and the outer or external end of the discharge pipe 184 is connected with a conventional gasrecovery and recirculation system (not shown) for reuse.

A substantially rectangular housing is designated by reference numeral 188. The housing 188 includes a pair of oppositely disposed side walls 190, 192, a pair of oppositely disposed end walls 194, 196, a pair of oppositely disposed top and bottom walls 198, 200, and a partition wall 202. The upper ends of the side and end walls terminate in an outwardly turned continuous ange 204 which is welded at 206 to the under side of the conduit 12.

The end wall 194 is partially cut away to form an access opening 208 into the housing 188, and the access opening is provided with a closure member 210 which is removably secured thereacross by means of bolts 212 which enter threaded openings formed in the wall 194 and in a flange 214 which depends from the bottom wall 200.

An elongated cylindrical `boss 216 projects laterally from the end wall 194 and is provided with an axially extending bore 218. The outer end of the boss 216 terminates in a radial ilange 220. VA cap 222 having a central bore 224 is releasably secured to the ange 220 by means of stud bolts 226, a centrally apertured gasket 228 formed of neoprene impregnated asbestos being interposed between the flange and the cap.

A shaft 230 is mounted for reciprocation within the bores 218 and 224, the shaft terminating at its inner end within the housing 188. A disk 232 is lixedly secured at the terminus of the inner end of the shaft. The other, or outer, end of the shaft 230 has a handle member 234 secured thereto.

The partition wall 202 is provided with an opening 236 across which extends a closure member 238 hingedly connected at 240 to the top wall 198. It will be noted that the disk 232 confronts and normally engages against the closure member 238 to maintain the same in its normally closed position. If desired the closure member 238 may be provided with a neoprene impregnated asbestos gasket 242.

An elongated substantially cylindrical boss 244 projects laterally from the end wall 196 and is provided with an axially extending bore 246. The outer end of the boss 244 terminates in a radial flange 248 to which is secured, by bolts 250, a cap 252. As is seen in Fig. 2, a neoprene impregnated asbestos gasket 254 is interposed between the ange 248 and cap 252. l

A plunger rod 256 is mounted for reciprocation within the bore 246. To effect reciprocation of the rod 256, one end of a shaft 258 is ixedly secured thereto while its other end projects through the cap 252 and terminates in a handle 260.

`In Figs. 2 and 3, it is seen that the lower extended end of the valve guide 92 and the adjacent portions of the refractory 108 are received in the housing 188 between the end wall 196 and the partition wall 202. -The refractory 108 and valve guide 92 are provided with aligned apertures 262, 264, respectively, vwhich are also aligned with the bore 246 of the boss 244 to receive the plunger rod 256 therethrough. Diametrically opposite thereof, the valve guide 92 and the refractory 108 are apertured at 266 and 268, respectively, the latter apertures being substantially equal to or slightly larger than the passage 174 formed in the valve 170. Y

The lower end of the valve guide 92, the refractory 108, and the bottom wall 200 of the housing 188 are formed with coaxially aligned apertures to provide a continuous passage 270, respectively, the apertures being coaxially aligned. A fitting 276 is threaded into the passage 270 and receives one end of a pipe 278. A valve 280 is connected in the pipeV 278 and its other end is connected with a source of inert gas under pressure selected from those mentioned above.

A gas discharge passage 282 extends through the valve guide 92,'and adjacent portions of the refractory 108 and the endwall 196. As is seen inFig.'2, the passage 282 at its inner'end communicates with the space below the valve 170, and a litting 284 connects` a discharge pipe 286 with the outer end of the passage 282. A valve 288 is interposed in the pipe 286, and the latter, at its outer end is connected with a reclaiming system (not shown) for recirculation and reuse.

If desired, the boss 126 and the valve stern 130 may be provided with cooling means which, as shown in Fig. 2, includes a helicoidal conduit 300 which surrounds the boss 126. The upper end of the conduit 300 terminates in a passage 302 formed in the cylindrical member 114 and intowhich is threaded one end of a conduit 304 having a valve 306 interposed therein. The other end of the conduit 304 is connected with a source of liquid coolant (not shown). The lower end of the helicoidal conduit terminates in a passage 308 formed in the lower of the cylindrical member 114, the passage 308 also being connected with one end of a discharge pipe 310 having a valve 312 interposed therein.

Having described this invention in detail, the operation thereof will be set forth immediately below.

has been stated above, Fig. l illustrates the valve 20 as being interposed in the compound conduit 12 between a Crucible 10 and the discharge elbow 14, the elbow 14 being connected through pipe or conduit 16 with the ingot mold 18. It will be recognized, of course, that the discharge side of the conduit 20 may be connected with another crucible of a multi-Crucible metal treating system instead of with the ingot mold 18.

During the time that the metal in the Crucible 10 is being treated and heated the valve 170 is normally lowered to its normally closed position as indicated by its dotted line position shown in Fig. 2. This cuts ol the iiow of molten metal through the bore 104 and prevents transfer of the metal from the Crucible 10 to the mold 18. Let

it now be assumed that the treating time for the metalV in the crucible 10 has substantially reached its termination. In this case the operator will then rotate the wheel 168 to effect a lifting of the valve 170 to a point where at the inlet side of the passage 174 it is raised to communicate with the boss while the outlet side of the passage 174 remains sealed against an adjacent portion of the valve guide 94. With the valve in this position, the molten metal passes through the inlet side of the passage 174 and lls the cavity delined by the passages 172, 174- and that portion of the valve guide 94 against which the outlet side of the passage 172 is sealed.

During the takingof the metal sample, the valves 182, 186, 280 and 288 are moved to their open position to permit any one of the above-referred to inert gasses to enter and circulate in the space above and below the valve at controlled substantially equal pressures.

When the cavity 172, 174 has been substantially filled, the operator will rotate the wheel 168 in a counterclockwise direction, thereby permitting the valve 170 to move downwardly until the inlet side of the passage 174 is lowered below the boss 100. It is thus seen that the sample of the molten metal in the crucible 10 is retained within the passage 172, 174, and this sample is held in the above-referred to position until the same cools to its solidified form, and reaches a temperature of approximately 2,700 F.

It is important to note that during the time that the sample is taken and while the same-is being converted from its liquid to its solid form, contamination from external gaseous sources is prevented and that the sample, if exposed at all to a gaseous element, is only contacted by the inert gas which effects no chemical reaction lwith the sample.

Upon reaching its solidified form, valve 170 is lowered still further until the passage 172 is brought into alignment with the bore 246 of the boss 244. At this point, and should it be so desired, the metal sample may be permitted to cool still further, for example, to approximately 800 F.

When the sample has reached its minimum cooling temperature, the operator will grasp the handle 260 and force the same toward the valve 20. The plunger rod 256 is consequently moved to the left as viewed in Fig. 2. Prior to the movement of the plunger rod 256, the operator withdraws the shaft 230 to the left again as viewed in Fig. 2 to effect a release of the disk 232 from the closure member 2 38. It is now seen that as the plunger rod -256 is moved to the left, las described above, the solidified metallic sample filling zthe passages 172, 174 is ejected into the compartment formed in the housing 188 and which is defined by the end wall 194, the clos ure member 210, the partition wall 262 and the top and bottom walls, 198, 200, respectively, and those portions of the side walls 19t), 192 which extend between the partition wall 202 and the end wall 194.

Thereafter the bolts 212 are unloosened to free the closure member 210 from the end wall 194 and the sample is removed through the aperture 208.

The sample is then subjected to metallurgical and other tests to determine if the same possesses the proper alloy composition, if it has homogeneous uniformity and if it h as the proper grain refinement. Assuming that the tests reveal that the metal in the Crucible meets all of the required conditions, the valve 170 is raised by turn,- ing the hand vwheel 168 in a clockwise direction until the passages 172, V174 are aligned with the bosses 104, 106 and the molten metal will now pass freely through the bore 104 into the ingot mold 178.

Assuming on the other hand, that the tested sample disclosed that the metal within the crucible 10 did not fulfill the `required specifications, the molten metal in the crucible 10 may be further treated by known metallurgical techniques to bring it into conformity with the requirements of the specification prior to the time that the valve is moved to its open position.

From the foregoing remarks it should now become clear that the compound valve and sample-taking device provides means whereby the metallurgist is assured that the metal passing from one Crucible to the next or from the final crncible in a multi-crucible treating system to an ingot mold is -an exact process which may be repeated time after time and that the physical and chemical characteristics of the treated metal batches will not deviate from a predetermined specification.

The helicoidal conduit 58 is disposed in heat transfer relation with respect to the molten metal fiowing through the passage or bore 62 in a manner more specifically set forth in my copending application referred to supra, and as has been set forth above and in the copending application, the conduit 58 is also connected with a source of alternating current to heat the molten metal in the bore 62 by induction. This type of heating effects turbulence in the molten metal by virtue of eddy currents, and it has been found that the introduction of the refractory 52 formed of molybdenum trioxide greatly increases the eddy current effect.

Having described and illustrated in detail one embodiment of this invention, it will be understood that the same is offered merely by way of example and that the invention is to berlimited only by the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

l. In combination, a valve guide and a valve mounted for reciprocation therein and being entirely contained therein, said guide comprising an elongated substantially hollow body member having a pair of opposed open and closed ends, an inlet port and an outlet port disposed intermediate said ends, and a closure member for said open end; said valve having a continuous passage formed therein and extending transversely therethrough and having an inlet side and an outlet side, said inlet side having a greater transverse area than said outlet side; means connected with said valve and extending through said closure member for actuation to effect reciprocation of said valve to its closed position or its Vopen position wherein said inlet port, said inlet side, said outlet port and said outlet side are in open communication with each other; and said means being operable to move said valve relative to said guide to effect` sealing of said outlet side of saidvalve against an adjacent portion of said guide while leaving a portion of said inlet side in open communication with said inlet port thereby forming a cavity to receive and retain 'material flowing through 'said inlet port and partially opensaid inlet side.

2. In the combination' defined in claim l wherein said valve guide is provided with a pair of opposed transversely extending openings; and said means being adapted to move said inlet side of said valve into open communication with one of said last-named openings and to move said outlet side of said valve into communication with the other or" said last-named openings; said other of said last-named openings being adapted to receive a tool therethrough to ram said material in said cavity through said one of said last-named openings.

3, In the combination defined in claim 2 rwherein said guide is provided with means for introducing a fluid under pressure between said closed end of said guide member and the adjacent end of said valve; and said guide is provided with means for introducing a fluid under pressure etween said closure member and the adjacent end of said valve.

4. In the combination as defined in claim 2, wherein means are provided for connecting ,the space between said closed end of said valve guide and the adjacent end of said valve with'a source of vacuum, and wherein means are provided for connecting the space between said closure member and the adjacent end of said valve with a source of vacuum.

5. Fluid control means for controlling the flow of fluid through a conduit, having a continuous passage extending longitudinally therethrough, said control means comprising a valve guide member extending transversely through said conduit and having portions projecting laterally from opposed sides of said conduit, said valve guide member comprising an elongated substantially hollow body having a pair of opposed open and closed ends, said valve guide member having opposed and confronting uid inlet and outlet ports aligned with said passage, and said valve guide means having a material discharge opening and a tool receiving opening formed therein adjacent said closed end thereof, said material `discharge Vopening and said tool receiving being disposed in opposed confronting relation, and said material discharge opening having a greater transverse cross-sectional larea than said tool receiving opening; a closure member for said open end of said valve guide member; a valve mounted for reciprocation within and entirely contained within, said valve guide member, said valve having a continuous passage formed therein and extending transversely therethrough, said valve passage having an inlet side and an outlet side of which said inlet side has the greatest transverse cross-sectional area; and valve actuating means connected with said valve and extending through said closure member for selectively moving said valve to its closed position, to its open position with said valve passage in open communication with said passage formed in said conduit, to a material sampling position wherein said valve outlet side is sealed against an adjacent portion of said Valve guide while said valve inlet side remains in communication with said valve guide inlet to form a material sampling cavity and to a final position wherein said valve actuating means moves said valve to align said material discharge opening, said valve inlet side, said valve outlet side and said tool receiving opening, whereby a tool inserted through said opening engages against the material sample in said cavity to eject said sample through said material discharge opening.

6. Fluid control means as defined in claim 5 wherein said conduit, said valve guide member and said valve are formed of a refractory material, means for introducingV an inert gas in the space between said .closed end of said valve guide member Vand the adjacent end of lsaid valve, and means .forint'roducingan inert gas in the space between said closure member .and the adjacent end of said valve.

7. Fluid control means as defined in claim wherein said conduit, said valve guide member, and said valve are formed of a refractory material, means for connecting the space between said closed end of said valve guide member and the adjacent end of said valve with a vacuum source, and means for connecting the space between said closure member and the adjacent end of said valve with a vacuum source.

8. Fluid control means for controlling the ow of a liquid through a compound conduit, said liquid possessing the physical characteristic of solidication upon cooling, said compound conduit comprising an outer elongated substantially hollow metallic casing and a liner therefor formed of a refractory material, said casing being disposed in embracing relation relative to said liner and said liner having a continuous passage extending longitudinally therethrough, a valve guide member comprising an elongated substantially hollow body formed of a refractory material and having a pair of opposed open and closed ends, said valve guide member extending transversely through and projecting beyond opposite sides of said compound conduit intermediate the ends thereof, said valve guide member having a pair of oppositely dis-l posed spaced and confronting uid inlet and outlet ports formed therein and aligned with said passage formed in said liner, said valve guide member having a material discharge opening formed therein adjacent said closed end and a tool receiving opening disposed in spaced confronting relation relative thereto, a valve formed of a refractory material and mounted for reciprocation in said valve guide member and being entirely contained therein, said valve having a continuous passage formed therein and having a liquid inlet side and a liquid outlet side, said uid inlet side having a transverse cross-sectional area greater than the transverse cross-sectional area of said liquid outlet side, and means connected with said valve and extending through said closure member to effect reciprocation thereof within said valve guide member, said means being operable to move said valve to its closed position, to its open position with said valve passage disposed in communicating relation with respect to said valve guide inlet and outlet ports, to its liquid sampling position wherein said valve outlet side is sealed against an adjacent portion of said valve guide member while said valve inlet side is in partial communication with said valve guide inlet port thus forming a liquid sample taking cavity, said means being further operable to subsequently seal said inlet side of said valve against an adjacent portion of said valve guide member to permit said material in said cavity to -cool and solidify, and said means being further operable to move said valve to a position wherein said inlet side of said valve and said outlet side of said valve are aligned, respectively with said discharge opening and said tool receiving opening, whereby a tool thrust through said tool receiving opening engages against the solid sample and to eject said solid sample through said discharge opening.

9. Fluid control means as defined in claim 8 wherein means are provided for introducing an inert gas in the space between said closed end of said valve guide member and the adjacent end of said valve, and means for introducing an inert gas in the space between said closure member and the adjacent end of said valve.

10. Fluid control means as defined in claim 8 wherein means are provided for connecting the space between said closed end portion of said valve guide member and the adjacent end of said valve with a vacuum source, and means for connecting the space between said closure member and the adjacent end of said valve with a vacuum source.

11. Fluid control means as defined in claim 9 wherein said conduit casing has a substantially hollow housing secured thereto, said housing surrounding said closed end of said valve guide member, its said discharge and tool 10 receiving openings, an elongated boss secured to said housing and having a passage formed therein aligned with said tool receiving opening, and said tool comprising a plunger rod mounted for reciprocation within said last named housing and operable to eject said sample into said housing.

12. Fluid control means as defined in claim 11 wherein said housing is provided with a partition wall disposed in confronting relation with respect to said discharge opening, said partition wall having an opening formed therein aligned with said discharge opening, a closure member hingedly connected with said opening .formed in said partition wall, and means releasably securing said closure member in its normally closed position.

13. Fluid control means as defined in claim 12 wherein said closure member is provided with means disposed in heat transfer relation relative to said valve actuating means.

14. Fluid control means as defined in claim 13 wherein said housing has an access opening formed therein to remove said sample therefrom, and a closure member removably secured to said housing and extending across said access opening.

l5. Fluid control means for controlling the flow of a liquid through a compound conduit, said compound conduit comprising an outer steel pipe having a plurality of liners formed of a refractory material disposed therein in surrounding relation relative to each other, at least one of said liners being formed of molybdenum trioxide v compressed under a pressure of 18,000 to 30,000 p. s. i.

and the innermost one of said liners having a continuous passage formed therein, a metallic conduit disposed between a pair of said liners and having one of its ends connected with a source of uid under pressure, means connecting said conduit with a source of alternating current to provide induction heating means for liquid owing through said passage, a valve guide extending transversely through said compound conduit and having a pair of oppositely disposed ends projecting laterally through and beyond opposite sides of said compound conduit, said valve guide being formed of a refractory material including a casing formed of molybdenum trioxide compressed under a pressure of 18,000 to 30,000 p. s. i., said valve guide member having a pair of oppositely disposed spaced and confronting inlet and outlet ports with said casing being discontinuous thereover, said inlet and outlet ports being aligned with said passage formed in said one liner, said valve guide member having a discharge opening and a tool receiving opening formed therein in spaced confronting relation, and said casing being discontinuous over said discharge and tool receiving openings, a housing secured to said pipe and receiving therein said closed end of said valve and said discharge' and tool receiving openings, a boss projecting laterally from said housing and having a passage extending therethrough in alignment with said tool receiving opening, a plunger rod mounted for reciprocation within said lastnamed passage, a closure member for said open end of said valve guide member, a valve formed of a refractory material and disposed for reciprocation in said valve guide member, said valve having a continuous passage formed therein including an inlet side and an outlet side, said inlet side of said passage having a greater transverse cross-sectional area than the transverse cross-sectional area of said outlet side, means connected with said valve to effect reciprocation thereof to its closed position, to its open position with its said passage communicating with said passage formed in said liner, to a liquid sampling position wherein said outlet side of said valve is sealed against an adjacent portion of said valve guide member while a portion of said inlet side of said valve is in communication with said inlet port to deline a liquid receiving cavity, to its position wherein said inlet and outlet sides are sealed against adjacent portions of said References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATESv PATENTS Lester' Feb. 21, 1933 Ba'ssler Oct. 15, 1940 Kottkamp Nov. 7, 1950 

